By Samantha Rogers
When you ask a veteran what they learned from their career in the military, they often cite core ideals and values, such as integrity, respect, loyalty, or honor. One particular value, their sense of service, seems to almost always accompany them from the military to civilian life. This isn’t a coincidence; though the language varies, a sense of service is consistently in several of the branch’s core values. 
David Gately, a well-known veteran in my community of Waltham, MA, provides us with an example of how this sense of service translates so seamlessly into civilian life. He has served in various facets of city government, including as a City Counselor, State Representative, and Mayor. Gately has also served in the military for over thirty years, in active duty, reserve, and as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, and was most recently deployed in 2010 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gately has successfully taken his experiences in the military and applied them to civilian life by serving his community in various ways. If you have transitioned to civilian life and are looking for ways to stay involved in your own community, here are some recommendations:
Apply your experience. Every military experience is unique. Apply what you’ve learned from your own experiences and use it to be more involved in your own community. In addition to instilling a sense of service in him, Gately feels that the military “also affirmed the focus on accomplishing assigned tasks to completion and doing the best you can in whatever endeavor you undertake.” Gately informs us, “I learned from it. It developed my self-discipline to achieve goals and taught the importance of teamwork as well.”
Get creative. Sometimes when people think of helping out in their community, they picture volunteering in a soup kitchen or hospital. While these are great ways to help out, they are not the only options. The opportunities are endless when it comes to community involvement. Think about raising money for organizations you care about, hosting events such as 5K runs, or, as Gately did, running for public office or joining civic groups such as the Lions Club.
Learn from others. Though you have a lot to bring to the community, there is also a lot your community can teach you to help you grow. Keep an open mind, and you might be surprised to see what you learn from others. Gately explains, “In addition to working now, I am volunteering as an English language tutor for a Waltham organization that teaches English to new immigrants who are becoming citizens. I am learning some Spanish as well so there is a return!”
Set goals. It is normal for a veteran returning from military service to initially feel overwhelmed or out of place. Take it slow, reach out to others, and set goals for yourself. “When re-entering civilian life I would recommend my fellow veterans re-connect with family and friends in social settings and set daily, weekly, and monthly goals for themselves professionally. It is important to keep busy. Go back to work or launch that job search, go to school, start a hobby, volunteer for a charity or begin a physical activity program. Keep your mind occupied and stay active,” Gately recommends.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Depending on their past assignment, some veterans were in very stressful locations and witnessed events that will stay [with them] for a lifetime. I understand that [as] not everyone in my unit came back.” Gately encourages veterans who feel isolated or need to talk to someone to reach out to others for support. “They should realize that it is okay to do that if they feel the need,” Gately says. If you currently feel you need help, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line or take an anonymous mental health self-assessment. Do you know a veteran that has taken an active role in bettering your own community? Tell us about him or her!
Samantha Rogers is the Program Coordinator at Military Pathways.
